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Our Mission: Providing Ongoing Education and Prevention
Kids on the Block’s mission is to provide ongoing education and prevention through puppetry for children and the community at large. The core message in each program is to teach children acceptance of differences in themselves and in others.
The troupe uses life size puppets and performs 15 topics in the style of Bunraku puppetry. The puppeteers travel the state performing in schools, boys and girls clubs, and other community centers. In 2023, 41,552 children in 37 Kentucky counties viewed 347 programs. We received 32 Child Abuse Disclosures. The puppets bring children to a teachable moment by reflecting their hopes, fears, likes, and dislikes.
Other initiatives include owning and operating The Higgins Center for Nonprofits, free kids runs, and a youth board for elementary aged children.
Kids on the Block History
In 1977, special education teacher Barbara Aiello had a student, Anthony, with cerebral palsy who used a wheelchair. Anthony was bright, and Barbara felt that he was ready to be mainstreamed into a “regular” classroom. A few days later, Anthony told her he didn’t want to go back to that classroom because children ignored him, made fun of him and didn’t want to play with him.
While Anthony was academically prepared, teachers or children in the “regular” classroom weren’t prepared for Anthony. So, Barbara made a puppet with Anthony’s likeness, including his red hair and constructed a wheelchair out of garden hose and bicycle tires. Using the puppet, Barbara explained to his class why he looked different, talked differently and used a wheelchair. Kids on the Block was born the moment children began to raise their hands to ask the puppet character questions. When a hand was raised, a barrier came down.
From there, Anthony’s puppet grew to a family of puppet characters and programs designed to help children understand and cope with sensitive issues.
Coming to Kentucky
Kentucky Kids on the Block was founded in 1985 by Jamie Gaddie Higgins and Alice Kummer. Jamie took her daughter, Heather, to a Spina Bifida Association Christmas party. Nashville Kids on the Block performed their “Accepting Differences” program. Heather, who has spina bifida, reacted in such a positive way, her mother reached out to her friend, Alice, about starting their own puppet troupe in Bowling Green.
The puppetry used by Kentucky Kids on the Block is based on a Japanese style of puppetry called Bunraku. Bunraku puppetry, using life sized puppets, is used to bring children to the teachable moment. Each year, Kentucky Kids on the Block presents 300 programs to approximately 30,000 children in 20 Kentucky counties. The programs blend humor with sensitivity to help children develop an attitude of understanding and acceptance toward others that will serve them the rest of their lives. Kids on the Block is housed in the Higgins Center for Nonprofits.
Kids on the Block Staff
Graphic Design
Intern
Bonner Scholar
Summer Intern
Puppeteer
Graphic Design
Intern
Shelly Compton
Partner at Carr, Riggs, and Ingram, CPAs
Johna Rodgers
Johna Rodgers Consulting, LLC
Heather Higgins-Jeffrey
Steve Sutton
President of Chase Bank
John Kelly
Kelly Family Foundation
Mary Vitale
Owner of New Millennium Real Estate, LLC
Alice Kummer
Kentucky Kids on the Block Co-founder
Julie Wedge
Wedge Family Foundation
Sandy Riley
Owner of Riley’s Bakery
Barry Williams
Owner of Communication Systems
Erin Hiles
Barren Inc
Julie Ann Rosing
Law Clerk at US District Court for Western District of Kentucky
(in the Higgins Center for Nonprofits)
958 Collett Avenue Suite 100
Bowling Green, KY 42101
Phone: 270-842-2259
Mon – Fri: 8am – 4:30pm
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Executive Director
“If I have managed to brighten up even one gloomy childhood – then I am satisfied.” – Astrid Lindgren
That quote drives me everyday. I began my journey as the grant writer at Kids on the Block in 2013 and I knew I had found both my calling and career. After being appointed Executive Director in 2014, my focus became child abuse prevention because I strongly believe the most immediate need facing our world is protecting children.
I love being involved in the community. I attend Christ Episcopal Church, teach adult and kids yoga classes at the Warren County Public Library, and serve as a Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce Ambassador. I also love growing as a fundraiser by being a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Serving on the AFP Nashville Board of Directors allows me to be around like-minded professionals in my field.
Outside of work I enjoy yoga, skiing with my husband, going to concerts with my mom, collecting antiques with my dad, and planning our next trip to the beach with our two wild dogs (humane society rescues).
Director of Programs/Lead Puppeteer
I am a WKU graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies. So I thought Kids on the Block would be a good fit for me. I started working at Kids on the Block as a puppeteer in June 2011. In 2014 I became the Director of Programs and Lead Puppeteer.
I enjoy presenting programs at schools because through puppetry I am able to bring children to a teachable moment that they don’t forget. The programs that I feel most passionate about teaching is the Child Abuse Prevention programs. These programs not only teach children about child abuse but also teach children how to get out of abusive situations.
The programs that I have the most fun presenting are the Accepting Differences (Campers program), and Problem Solving. (Who am I kidding, they are all fun!) When I am not working I enjoy outdoors activities such as gardening, hiking and kayaking with my husband, daughter and our dog.
Puppeteer/Special Projects
I have lived in Bowling Green most of my life. I married my husband in 1996 and we had our daughter in 2000. I had always worked with kids and would play with puppets and change my voice for the different characters in the books I would read to them. Little did I know God was preparing me for something greater. I started working with Kids on the Block on March 1, 2007. My favorite KOB program is Child Abuse Prevention. The pain of being abused follows a child the rest of their life and if just one child learns they can say no or learns that it’s ok to tell, then it is worth all the time we put into it. When I’m not at work I am very involved with my church where I currently lead the music and choir. I love to hike, camp, cook and sing. I have 3 dogs, 1 cat and a ball python.
Administrative and Grants Assistant
I have lived in Kentucky my whole life and grew up watching Kids on the Block. Kids have always been a huge part of my life, so I was thrilled when I got the opportunity to join such an amazing organization.
Puppeteer
Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, I moved to Bowling Green in 2016 to teach part-time at WKU while finishing my PhD in Fine Arts through Texas Tech University. In school, I focused on theatre history, criticism, and directing. After a decade in grad school studying theatre, I am very excited to join Kids on the Block and learn puppetry!
I am a step-mom to two boys and mommy to a little girl. When I’m not working, I enjoy gardening, baking bread, reading, and spending time with my family.
Bonner Scholar Summer Intern
I am a sophomore at Centre College in Danville, KY and a member of the Centre Bonner Program. I recently declared a double major in history and international studies. I am also a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Outside of school, I love all things history, traveling, and more!
I have been passionate about service and advocacy from a young age, and being a part of the Bonner Program has allowed me to fulfill this passion. I also love working with kids, so I knew Kids on the Block would be an excellent opportunity for me! I grew up seeing their programs in school, and I remember how helpful they were, so I am so excited to work for them this summer!
Puppeteer
I am a 49 year old fun loving, soft hearted individual who loves to make others feel as empowered as possible. I am originally from California, but call Kentucky home. I have lived and worked in Bowling Green for over 2 decades. I attended WKU and opened a small business while I raised my family..
Although, I loved my career I found it to be a superficial one. My devotion is to the betterment of the next generation; to see every child happy, healthy, and included. I was a foster mom for several years and have 3 amazing children. The joy they bring led me to persue a field in which my heart can be filled with riches.
Programming and Fundraising Intern
Saturday, August 10th, 2024
Kereiakes Park,
Bowling Green, KY
